Apple fires back in patent war with Samsungby Staff WritersSan Francisco (AFP) July 6, 2011

Apple escalated its legal fight with Samsung by asking the US International Trade Commission (USITC) to block imports of some of the South Korean firm's smartphones and tablet computers.

In a filing Tuesday, Apple asked the USITC to look into its complaint that Samsung is infringing on the California-based company's patents in "electronic digital media devices" including its Galaxy lines of smartphones and tablets.

"Samsung has followed each of Apple's groundbreaking products with imitation products that incorporate Apple's technology and distinctive design," Apple counsel Alexander Hadjis said in the USITC complaint.

Apple contended that the South Korean electronics giant was using its patented technology in components such as touchpads, software and audio interfaces.

"The complaint requests relief in the form of a permanent exclusion order prohibiting entry to the United States of all Apple products in violation of these patents," Samsung said in a statement.

"Samsung will continue to actively defend our intellectual property."

The latest action ramped-up the wrangling between the world's two fastest growing smartphone makers.

The tussle began when Apple filed suit against Samsung in April in San Francisco, accusing the Korean firm of copying its smartphones and tablet computers.

Samsung responded later that month with a lawsuit in Seoul alleging five patent infringements by Apple. It filed separate actions in Tokyo, citing two patent infringements, and in the German city of Mannheim citing three.

Last month Apple lodged a second lawsuit against Samsung with a district court in Seoul, asking for a sales ban on Samsung's latest products. It accused them of copying the iPhone and iPad.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab has been a huge-selling rival to the iPad, which has dominated the growing market for the touchscreen devices.

Despite their prickly competition in finished products, the two firms have a close business relationship.

Apple was Samsung's second-largest client in 2010 after Japan's Sony, accounting for four percent of the South Korean firm's 155 trillion won ($142 billion) annual revenue.

Apple to launch new iPhone in third quarter: WSJNew York (AFP) July 6, 2011 -
Apple plans to launch its next-generation iPhone during the third quarter of the year, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper, citing "people familiar with the situation," said Apple has placed orders for key components to used in the new version of the iPhone and that it would be thinner and lighter than the iPhone 4.

Apple released the iPhone 4 in June 2010.

"Apple's sales estimates of the new iPhone is quite aggressive," the Journal quoted a source at one of Apple's parts suppliers as saying.

"(Apple) told us to prepare to help the company meet its goal of 25 million units by the end of the year," the source said.

"The initial production volume will be a few million units," the source said, adding the supplier had been told to ship components to Apple's Taiwan-based assembler Hon Hai in August.

Apple declined to comment on the Journal report.

Financial analysts have been predicting in recent weeks that Apple would begin production of a new iPhone in August and introduce it in September or October.

Apple shares gained 0.67 percent on Wall Street on Wednesday to close at $351.76.

Apple-Microsoft group pays $4.5 bn for Nortel patentsMontreal (AFP) July 1, 2011
A consortium led by Apple and Microsoft won an auction for some 6,000 patents held by bankrupt Canadian firm Nortel, their $4.5 billion bid beating Google and Intel, Nortel announced on Friday.
The consortium consisting of Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, Research in Motion and Sony agreed to pay cash for the portfolio of patents ranging from wireless technology to semiconductors, Nortel sai ... read more

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2011 - Space Media Network. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency.
All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement